Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-21

The reply OF the Commissioners to the Inquiries
of the senate special committee, including the re-
ports OF District Attorney Riddle and capt. Grimm,
In answer 10 certain Of the questions constitutes
a mine OF interesting and valuable Information
concerning the different branches of Washing
tons railroad problem. The earnest and thought
ful labors OF the Commissioners have resulted In
vigorous presentation OF the District case against
the railroads which, backed by a strong pubic
sentiment and support, and addressed to
special committee OF which the known
fnclinafions are In the direction OF
justice 10 the city and proper restrictions upon
the railroads, cannot fail 70 be OF benefit TO the
community. Attention Is pointedly directed in
the reply to the evils Of the reign OF the railroads
IN Washington, to the occupancy OF too numerous
streets the multiplication OF grade crossings, dan
geroGs to life and limb and injurious to property,
the unauthorized crossing Of streets the extension
and multiplication OF side tracks, The seizure OF
public space far beyond chartered rights and priv
ilages the unlawful use and occupation OF
public streets as freight and storage
yards, the cutting and Disagreement OF
the mall, the planting OF ugly buildings and
tracks In the immediate vicinity OF the Capitol,
and the paralysis OF northeast and South WASH
ingtoa and the damage to the whole city resulting
thererom The route and the site OF the union sta
ton recommended by the Commissioners suggest a
vast Improvement OF existing conditions The
surface track In northeast Washington would be
limited 70 a short stretch near the boundary on
9Th street, where there are few improvements; and
local passenger stations at 5th and boundary,
and, descending to the tunnel on East
Capitol street at Lincoln Park are sug-
gested- Northeast Washington would be
relieved OF the two branches gridironing its sur
face and checking all improvement, and would
hail with satisfaction the disappearance OF the
surface tracks, the 'Y" and the antiquared Balti-
more and Ohio passenger station. Reflector south
Washington Is proposed in the removal OF the Bal
timore and Potomac station and tracks from the
mall, 9Th street and part OF Maryland avenue, in
requiring other provision than the public streets
70 be made for freight and storage purposes, In
narrowing to so feet the space which may be
occupied by tracks on Maryland and Virginia ave-
nues and In depressing the tracks these avenues
between ~ and 18th streets west, so that these
and the Intervening streets can cross the cut con-
tanning the tracks with little change grade,
on bridges or on a roof OF gfrders built over the
cut n this scheme is practicable In view OF the
topography OF the section, and the Commissioners
report that IL Is the most serious distractions
the development OF South washington between
the railroad tracks and the river front viii be re-
moved
The Commissioners seem to attach too little i'm
portance to the growth OF South Washington as a
residence quarter and the objections TO their plan
VIII doubtless come most strongly from that
section, and from those In other parts
OF the city who have hoped TO see the mag
ni1cent avenues named after Maryland
and Virginia, cleared OF railroad tracks. But In
contrast with existing conditions the plan pro-
posed, II IL succeeds In breaking the railroad wal
between Az and 10th streets, will bestow solid
benefits upon the southwest section, and vii
enable IL to develop far more rapidly, both for
residence and business purposes The location OF
the union depot at the convenient point suggested
Will recommend itself to the northwest section and
10 the travelling public, and the clean sweep OF
railroad tracks and buildings from the mall will
delight every one who takes pride In washington's
picturesque beauty.